HOUSE PASSES BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 12

HOUSE PASSES BILL.

MINIMUM OF DISCUSSION. BIG, STEP TOWARDS SOLUTION • : -: ;■•'■' . ■ -I ', ' ■'■..•■' BUS SERVICES ASSURED. ' (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Auckland Transport Board Bill was called on for its second reading at 2 a.m. The Prime Minister said it had been suggested that the bill was out of order, because it had been brought down by Governor's Message, although it was I purely a local matter. However, the bill could not be abstracted on that score, because a great number of local bodies were concerned. Members might think the bill was a hurried measure, but there was a great deal of thought and sincere effort behind it.

After detailing the provisions of the bill, for the"benefit of a few Southern members who slept on their benches to keep the quorum, Mr.Coates said it was desirable that Auckland's problem should be settled and a policy formulated.

Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West) gave an outline of the conferences held within the last few days. The bill, fundamentally, did not suit him as a whole, but it was a basis of negotiation. For one thing, ho would like to see the Tramways Union, 1500 strong, represented on the board. He expressed appreciation of the efforts made to arrive at unanimity, and paid a tribute to the part played by the Government members and the Prime Minister.

Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said that but for the spirit of amity that prevailed throughout the conference this bill would not have been possible. The existing bus services in Auckland had their licenses perpetuated, and that was snlisf actor}'. He hoped the future would show that this measure would help to solve long-standing difficulties.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East) said no member was wholly satisfied with the bill, yet nil were satisfied to assist in helping to bring about an agreement which might go far towards solving Auckland's big problem. If the Auckland people regarded the measure in the same spirit of compromise as had existed during the conferences of the past few days half the battle would have' been fought.

Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) said the clause giving the City Council a check on legislation was a unique feature of the bill.

The House went into committee at 2.30, and the clauses of the bill were passed in groups instead of singly, there being no discussion till clause 58, regarding the powers of the board, was reached. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) asked if this clause wiped out the provisions of the Motor Omnibus Traffic 'Act: ; •

Mr. Coates explained-that the clause passed the licensing authority's power over to the Transport Board. Mrl Fraser said it was certainly fairer to have a thoroughly', representative board controlling transport, rather than a body representative of one section of the community only.

All the other clauses went through without discussion and tho bill., was reported without amendment at 2.40 a.m. The third reading provoked no' discussion, and the bill was passed.

It is understood that there will be no obstruction 'in the Legislative Council. The House adjourned at 2.45 aan. till 11 a.m.